TheSunshineGirl
A Little Bump In The Road
Dec 19, 2009
I hit a little bump in the road earlier this week. It all started Wednesday. I would get this awful pain in my chest (aka my new pouch) after eating and it would last for hours. I am still only able to eat 3 oz to 4 oz a time. It felt like the food was stuck....it would take hours for the pouch to empty. I called my Dr. on Friday and I was told to "thin out" all of my soups or anything else I ate. Everything I ate needed to drip off my spoon. I am still on a full liquid diet, but really can't have anything thick yet. The Dr. said my pouch was just taking an extra long time to heal. I was really concerned I was developing a stricture (spelling?). Since changing to all liquid fluids my pouch has been a bit more agreeable. I still can only get in 3oz at a time. I guess it is just taking a little longer than expected to heal. I know eating will not be like this forever, I just got to remain patient.
3 comments
Lost 20 lbs My First Week!
Dec 14, 2009
I am so excited and I know this will not be typical every week, but I lost 20 lbs my first week out from surgery. My BMI has dropped 3 points already. Today I had my week follow up with my Dr. Everything seems to be going well. I have been starving all week, real belly hunger. I was so happy to moved to the full liquid diet today. I enjoyed some pudding and baby food squash, I even had tomato soup with milk. I am only able to tolerate 3 oz an hour at this point, but it felt so good to eat something that filled me up and had taste! The first was rough and I am having trouble sleeping, but I am so happy I went through with this. 
2 comments
26 Stitches Later....
Dec 11, 2009
I am home from the hospital. My head is still in the clouds, so this post might have lots of miss spelled words and not make a whole lot of sense.
I am 3 days post op now. I survived surgery. whew! That had to be my biggest fear. I actually did very well. Better than my Doctors other 2 WLS patients. (at least that is what the staff kept telling me). I got to take my bandages off today and I was a little surprised. I have 26 total stitches. Ouch! Yes they hurt. I've actually have cut my pain meds in half already, which I think is great.
My personal account of my surgery-
1st Day-the pain was bad! My doctor uses the ole blow your stomach up trick to make the surgery easier for him and less dangerous fro me. The gas pressure made my lungs and heart hurt it was so bad. I did not like the recovery room part of the surgery at all. Waking up tied down and a tube down your throat is freaky-I don't care how many times they tell you, you will wake you like that. It is still disturbing and catches you off guard. The staff was wonderful! Everyone was so nice and informative! My room was a private suite reserved just for my Dr.s patients. I could not talk at all because I had no saliva to speak of and I was so medicated, I could not speak in complete sentences....lol A HOT MESS is how I would describe myself the first day.
2nd Day-Pain was improving and I could not wait to drink something. I had to go for my swallow test at 9 am...it took forever. They said the pressure of all the gas was keeping anything from going down. Great. Finally I did pass the test. I had to wait until 5 that afternoon to get anything to drink and I could only have 1 oz of fluid per hour. Broth never tasted so good. I was up walking, off of the iv and ready to go home.
3rd Day-The pain was even less. I was burping. Finally some gas relief. I was being discharged. I had a 3 hour drive home and it was very uncomfortable! I was so happy to be home. The worse part was trying to figure out how to get out of the bed with no help. I'll take it though. The worst thing today had to be the removal of the drain they put in. The pain is indescribable!
Today I was able to finally shower. I was allowed to take off all my bandages. I have an unusual amount of stitches. 26 of them to exact. My BMI was high so maybe the surgery was too difficult to do those little paper cuts. I have 5 incisions, plus one hole where the drain was. I am feeling better, still sore. I am trying work up to 2 oz of fluids every hour. My new little stomach is small. So I am babying it as much as possible.
No regrets here. Everything went smoothly! I think I have been having hunger. I can't tell if it is head hunger or real hunger. I can't wait to have some real food!
I am very happy at this point
2 comments
I am 3 days post op now. I survived surgery. whew! That had to be my biggest fear. I actually did very well. Better than my Doctors other 2 WLS patients. (at least that is what the staff kept telling me). I got to take my bandages off today and I was a little surprised. I have 26 total stitches. Ouch! Yes they hurt. I've actually have cut my pain meds in half already, which I think is great.
My personal account of my surgery-
1st Day-the pain was bad! My doctor uses the ole blow your stomach up trick to make the surgery easier for him and less dangerous fro me. The gas pressure made my lungs and heart hurt it was so bad. I did not like the recovery room part of the surgery at all. Waking up tied down and a tube down your throat is freaky-I don't care how many times they tell you, you will wake you like that. It is still disturbing and catches you off guard. The staff was wonderful! Everyone was so nice and informative! My room was a private suite reserved just for my Dr.s patients. I could not talk at all because I had no saliva to speak of and I was so medicated, I could not speak in complete sentences....lol A HOT MESS is how I would describe myself the first day.
2nd Day-Pain was improving and I could not wait to drink something. I had to go for my swallow test at 9 am...it took forever. They said the pressure of all the gas was keeping anything from going down. Great. Finally I did pass the test. I had to wait until 5 that afternoon to get anything to drink and I could only have 1 oz of fluid per hour. Broth never tasted so good. I was up walking, off of the iv and ready to go home.
3rd Day-The pain was even less. I was burping. Finally some gas relief. I was being discharged. I had a 3 hour drive home and it was very uncomfortable! I was so happy to be home. The worse part was trying to figure out how to get out of the bed with no help. I'll take it though. The worst thing today had to be the removal of the drain they put in. The pain is indescribable!
Today I was able to finally shower. I was allowed to take off all my bandages. I have an unusual amount of stitches. 26 of them to exact. My BMI was high so maybe the surgery was too difficult to do those little paper cuts. I have 5 incisions, plus one hole where the drain was. I am feeling better, still sore. I am trying work up to 2 oz of fluids every hour. My new little stomach is small. So I am babying it as much as possible.
No regrets here. Everything went smoothly! I think I have been having hunger. I can't tell if it is head hunger or real hunger. I can't wait to have some real food!
I am very happy at this point
Some Peace Finally.
Dec 03, 2009
I think I have been to the Dr.'s more in the past week, than I have been in 2 years time. I am finally done with all my pre op testing. My PCP finally cleared me for surgery. Yay! Every time I had a blood test, something came back abnormal. It was driving me crazy, this has been stressful. With surgery only days away (next Tuesday) I began to think it may not happen. I have been cleared, but I am having some additional blood tests to address an issue.
While on my wonderful journey to WLS approval, I have developed several new conditions, diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypertension and hypercalcemia. I guess the timing couldn't be better for surgery. I am young and I am developing all kinds of health issues. Some are attributed to my weight and hopefully will go away as I lose some weight, some I am stuck with forever. The women at my doctors were so excited for me. They kept asking if I was excited. My reply, "yes, excited, but nervous." I did not freak out when I found out I was approved. I didn't jump for joy. I was happy, but for some reason very serious. I explained to someone today....I am having this surgery to improve my medical conditions. If I happen to end up looking good in the process, that will be a plus. My health it my number one priority. If I don't get my weigh related medical issues under control now, I will I have serious issues down the road. And the way I am going, it will be sooner than later. I have NOT fantasized about wearing certain things or being a certain size or running into certain people. This is very serious for me and vanity has nothing to do with it. Being fat is killing me, literally! I can't wait to be healthier!
So today, I can finally relax and look forward to the surgery.
1 comment
While on my wonderful journey to WLS approval, I have developed several new conditions, diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypertension and hypercalcemia. I guess the timing couldn't be better for surgery. I am young and I am developing all kinds of health issues. Some are attributed to my weight and hopefully will go away as I lose some weight, some I am stuck with forever. The women at my doctors were so excited for me. They kept asking if I was excited. My reply, "yes, excited, but nervous." I did not freak out when I found out I was approved. I didn't jump for joy. I was happy, but for some reason very serious. I explained to someone today....I am having this surgery to improve my medical conditions. If I happen to end up looking good in the process, that will be a plus. My health it my number one priority. If I don't get my weigh related medical issues under control now, I will I have serious issues down the road. And the way I am going, it will be sooner than later. I have NOT fantasized about wearing certain things or being a certain size or running into certain people. This is very serious for me and vanity has nothing to do with it. Being fat is killing me, literally! I can't wait to be healthier!
So today, I can finally relax and look forward to the surgery.
Just Counting the Days!
Nov 30, 2009
Tomorrow will be exactly one week til my surgery date. One week! How exciting. I 've been feeling all kinds of different emotions from good to bad and back again. The excitement is really starting to build. I had my pre op EKG today-the test had a reading of "borderline"? I don't know what that means, but the Dr. said it was fine for surgery. I had my UA and blood work done today too. Bright and early tomorrow, I am scheduled to have my gall bladder sonogram and chest x-ray. All the results should be back by Wednesday and hopefully I will be cleared for surgery.
1 comment
WLS Surgery Approved!
Nov 19, 2009
I am so excited right now....I want to yell from the roof tops-I am so happy! It didn't take long once the paper work was submitted. (72 hrs exactly) I am approved for my surgery! 
Doing the happy dance! yay!
The hardest part of this whole experience so far, being patient and calm. Lots of doctors visits and tests! This will all be well worth it in the end!
My surgery date is December 8, 2009. Less than 3 weeks away. What a great Christmas present this is!
1 comment
Doing the happy dance! yay!The hardest part of this whole experience so far, being patient and calm. Lots of doctors visits and tests! This will all be well worth it in the end!
My surgery date is December 8, 2009. Less than 3 weeks away. What a great Christmas present this is!
We're Engaged!
Nov 17, 2009
After 3 years, we are engaged! It all happened while we were on a cruise in the Bahamas. I am so excited. So now, I have a wedding to plan. No date yet, but sometime next year. How exciting!
1 comment
Submitting for Insurance Approval
Nov 16, 2009
I spoke my the surgeon's office today and all my tests came back good. Even my newly diagnosed hypothyroidism is within normal range-yay! They are going to submit to insurance today for WLS approval. My coordinator said I should hear something from the office in a week or less. She said approvals are taking 72 hrs to a week at this point. Somebody pinch me. I am so excited and over the moon right now....I am holding back some though, so that I don't get my hopes up too high. Let's wait and see. Then I will do the happy dance. 
1 comment
Diabetes, Hypothyroidism and Doctors-OH MY!
Nov 08, 2009
Well, I had some blood work down last week (presurgery) through my Primary Doctor. They were the standard pre-op blood tests for WLS. I got a call from my Primary Doctor telling me I needed to come in right away, they needed to discuss the results with me. So, I scheduled the appointment for Wednesday, the day before my trip to Miami to see my surgeon. Come to find out I am now diabetic, I have been borderline for years, so this was no big surprise. Having diabetes will also help me get a favorable approval from my insurance company for the surgery. Got look at the positives here. What I wasn't ready for was- HYPOTHYROIDISM! You have got to be kidding me I thought. First thing that came to my mind was-insurance is going to deny me now because they will say, "you are fat because you have a thyroid that doesn't work, let's try medicine for 6 months and see what happens." I was in a panic. Luckily I had my thyroid tested in March and it was normal (proof that this just developed). Thank God! I am now on metaformin (spelling) and synthroid. I am having major side effects from both of them at this point. The synthroid is making my blood sugar go through the roof. I have to call the Doctor, Monday and see if I need to adjust the metaformin because of this. I am little more, than a little bit, upset about this. I can't go into surgery with blood sugars all over the place and my TSH levels high. No pressure here!
Ok-now onto my surgeon appointment. I met with Dr. Sosa first Thursday morning. This was my first one on one appointment with him since the seminar. His office was packed, as many people have reported. I filled out my paper work and was called back in no time. (Everyone was speaking spanish with each other and I was totally lost.) I was carefully measured and weighed. Hey, when did I shrink? I am only 5 ' 7. What the???? I use to be 5' 8. Anyway, I am over it. My BMI is high! 52 I do believe. My Primary Doctor was kind enough to get over as much paperwork as they could before my appointment. Dr. Sosa came in and kind of acted short with me. I was kind of surprised. He looked at my chart-I only asked maybe 2 questions, 1.Was because he seemed bothered I had questions, 2. They provide you a huge package when you first get to the office and a lot of the questions, I had, where already answered in the package. I told him I was newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism, how would this impact my surgery? He said, "you cannot have surgery until that is under control, even if it is borderline number". I asked how long did he think it would take-"A month." He replied. He then led me out of the room, back to the waiting room to meet with my case worker/insurance coordinator. My heart sank. The look of excitement was totally gone from my face. I have been waiting months to have this surgery. The insurance coordinator, Janette, called me. She was great! Fantastic! She reassured me everything was going to be fine. We went over my next steps to get everything ready for the insurance company. She said I will probably be scheduled for surgery at the end of this month or early next month. I was overjoyed!!! I also did my psych evaluation and nutrition evaluation on Thursday, both appointments went great - I passed with flying colors! Next steps- I have to get another TSH test this week and another blood test to check for infection. Then get the rest of records over to them, along with my Primary's letter of recommendation. This will all be ready Tuesday. Once my insurance gives the approval I will need to get a chest x-ray, EKG and some other tests to be clear for surgery. Fingers crossed!
1 comment
Ok-now onto my surgeon appointment. I met with Dr. Sosa first Thursday morning. This was my first one on one appointment with him since the seminar. His office was packed, as many people have reported. I filled out my paper work and was called back in no time. (Everyone was speaking spanish with each other and I was totally lost.) I was carefully measured and weighed. Hey, when did I shrink? I am only 5 ' 7. What the???? I use to be 5' 8. Anyway, I am over it. My BMI is high! 52 I do believe. My Primary Doctor was kind enough to get over as much paperwork as they could before my appointment. Dr. Sosa came in and kind of acted short with me. I was kind of surprised. He looked at my chart-I only asked maybe 2 questions, 1.Was because he seemed bothered I had questions, 2. They provide you a huge package when you first get to the office and a lot of the questions, I had, where already answered in the package. I told him I was newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism, how would this impact my surgery? He said, "you cannot have surgery until that is under control, even if it is borderline number". I asked how long did he think it would take-"A month." He replied. He then led me out of the room, back to the waiting room to meet with my case worker/insurance coordinator. My heart sank. The look of excitement was totally gone from my face. I have been waiting months to have this surgery. The insurance coordinator, Janette, called me. She was great! Fantastic! She reassured me everything was going to be fine. We went over my next steps to get everything ready for the insurance company. She said I will probably be scheduled for surgery at the end of this month or early next month. I was overjoyed!!! I also did my psych evaluation and nutrition evaluation on Thursday, both appointments went great - I passed with flying colors! Next steps- I have to get another TSH test this week and another blood test to check for infection. Then get the rest of records over to them, along with my Primary's letter of recommendation. This will all be ready Tuesday. Once my insurance gives the approval I will need to get a chest x-ray, EKG and some other tests to be clear for surgery. Fingers crossed!
Pre-appointment Preparations.
Oct 26, 2009
I attended my first weight loss seminar in June 09, my second in July 09. This is where I learned insurance required 6 months of medically supervised dieting. (In the first seminar they said insurance required 12 months of supervised dieting.) I decided to seek another Dr., because from all of my research, most insurance companies wanted only 6 months. The first Dr. also required $1,200 program fee to paid up front, before insurance even said they would cover the surgery. I don't know about you but, $1,200 is quite an expense during these economic times.
I actually started dieting on my own (for the 200th time...lol) on January 1, 2009. I discussed having weight loss surgery with my primary Dr. in April. I was really struggling to lose anything. I hit a huge wall of a plateau. She never documented anything sooooooo, my medically supervised diet was not documented until June. I will be finished my 6 months of required medically supervised diet in November, which is right around the corner.
I have started taking several vitamins daily so it becomes habit. It is a healthy move, with or without the surgery. I have also started yoga, so I can mentally and physically prepare for the surgery the best I can at my weight.
A few requirements to get my insurance approval for Bariatric Surgery-
-6 months of medically supervised dieting.
-2 years medically documented history of obesity. (I have several-thank you)
-Letter of "Medical Necessity" from your primary Dr.
-Letters from specialists stating your medical issues are from being overweight.
-Blood work (to prove you are not overweight because of thyroid or an other medical condition)
-Nutrition evaluation
-Psych evaluation
-A letter written by me stating my weight over the last 10 years, year by year, along with my list of different weight loss attempts over the years, which includes my successes and failures. (this is more so for the surgeon than anyone else)
I have been busy gathering all the necessary paperwork. I go for blood work tomorrow. I have my psych and nutrition eval next week. I have my final appointment with my primary Dr. November 13th, my 6 months of supervised dieting will be done. My best guess is once my surgeon receives my records from my primary, we will submit to insurance. I will keep you posted.
3 comments
I actually started dieting on my own (for the 200th time...lol) on January 1, 2009. I discussed having weight loss surgery with my primary Dr. in April. I was really struggling to lose anything. I hit a huge wall of a plateau. She never documented anything sooooooo, my medically supervised diet was not documented until June. I will be finished my 6 months of required medically supervised diet in November, which is right around the corner.
I have started taking several vitamins daily so it becomes habit. It is a healthy move, with or without the surgery. I have also started yoga, so I can mentally and physically prepare for the surgery the best I can at my weight.
A few requirements to get my insurance approval for Bariatric Surgery-
-6 months of medically supervised dieting.
-2 years medically documented history of obesity. (I have several-thank you)
-Letter of "Medical Necessity" from your primary Dr.
-Letters from specialists stating your medical issues are from being overweight.
-Blood work (to prove you are not overweight because of thyroid or an other medical condition)
-Nutrition evaluation
-Psych evaluation
-A letter written by me stating my weight over the last 10 years, year by year, along with my list of different weight loss attempts over the years, which includes my successes and failures. (this is more so for the surgeon than anyone else)
I have been busy gathering all the necessary paperwork. I go for blood work tomorrow. I have my psych and nutrition eval next week. I have my final appointment with my primary Dr. November 13th, my 6 months of supervised dieting will be done. My best guess is once my surgeon receives my records from my primary, we will submit to insurance. I will keep you posted.
About Me
Southwest, FL
Location
26.2
BMI
Surgery
12/08/2009
Surgery Date
Oct 25, 2009
Member Since
